GoVolHerts Celebrates 7,000 Registered Volunteers and Counting!

At GoVolHerts , we are proud to work in collaboration with an incredible group of partners to promote, support, and celebrate volunteering across Hertfordshire. Together with Watford & Three Rivers Trust ( w3rt.org ), Community Action Dacorum ( communityactiondacorum.org ) and Communities 1st ( communities1st.org.uk ), we form a dedicated countywide network under ' Community Help Hertfordshire ' that champions the value of volunteering and helps create a thriving voluntary sector. Together we offer tailored support to individuals looking to volunteer and to charities and community groups who rely on volunteers to deliver their services. As a network, we share resources, knowledge, and events to ensure that volunteering is accessible to everyone, no matter where they live or what their circumstances may be. At the heart of our work is the belief that volunteering strengthens communities. It connects people, builds confidence and skills, and supports the wellbeing of both individuals and the wider community. We're her to empower people to make a difference and to support the organisations who depend on their time and energy. June is a particularly special month for us , as we celebrate Volunteers' Week (2-8 June). This annual event is a national campaign that recognises the huge impact volunteers have on our society. It’s a chance to say thank you to everyone who gives their time to help others – whether they’ve been volunteering for years or are just getting started. To mark the occasion, there will be events around the county that aim to connect local people with inspiring opportunities. GoVolHerts is participating and hopes to see you at some of these: On Tuesday 3 June , 1-3pm Watford & Three Rivers Trust is holding a Three Rivers Volunteers Network Event at Croxley Park, The Barn, WD18 8AS.The event is a celebration of volunteering and a chance to network with like-minded individuals, share experiences and learn about opportunities to volunteer. On Friday 6th June , 10am-3pm, join us at our Hertfordshire Volunteer Fair in Hitchin town centre. This lively event brings together charities and community groups from across the county, all looking to welcome new volunteers. Then on Saturday 7th June , head to Atria Watford for the Watford Volunteer Fair , organised by our partners at Watford & Three Rivers Trust . It’s a brilliant chance to explore causes you care about and chat directly with the people behind them. These events are open to everyone – whether you have a specific interest, want to gain experience, or just want to give something back. They'll be a great chance to meet charities and volunteers for an informal chat and there'll be plenty of inspiration and information to take away. Our work doesn't stop after Volunteer Week. Throughout the year, GoVolHerts and our partners continue to promote opportunities, share resources, and build connections that support a vibrant and inclusive volunteering culture in Hertfordshire. We invite you to explore what's on offer, meet like-minded people, and discover how you can play a part in your community – whether for a day, a week, or a lifetime. Visit govolherts.org.uk to find out more and start your volunteering journey today.

Explore Local Volunteering Opportunities at GoVolHerts Community Event in Hitchin Our community would not be what it is without the amazing volunteers who give their time freely to help others – and in the process often have a great time themselves! People don’t always realise the huge difference that volunteering makes in our community or that volunteering takes so many shapes and sizes, with hundreds of different organisations and roles that volunteers can be involved in. Our Volunteer Fair is being held on Friday 6th June in Hitchin High Street from 10am - 3pm and will celebrate volunteers in all their glory and, with more than 25 local organisations taking part it will be a wonderful opportunity to learn about the many different types of volunteering and how you could get involved too. Emily Butterworth, Volunteering Development Lead at GoVolHerts, shared: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone to this event in the heart of Hitchin. It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet the incredible people behind our local charities and learn about the vital role volunteers play in their work. We’re delighted to have a wide range of amazing organisations taking part, all eager to share how the public can get involved and the fantastic impact that they can achieve through volunteering. We’re honoured to be joined also by local dignitaries and representatives from our councils. Whether you’re looking to try something new, build confidence, or find a meaningful way to give back, this event is the perfect place to start. Huge thanks to Visit Hitchin for helping us bring it all together.” Visitors will have the chance to connect with the following local charities: Music 24 , MCR Pathways , Age UK Hertfordshire , Willow Foundation , Health & Independent, Living Support , Garden House Hospice Care , NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service), Brainkind , Mind in Mid-Herts , Tilehouse Counselling, Schoolreaders, North Herts Marie Curie , Carers in Hertfordshire, Citizens Advice North Hertfordshire , Herts Mind Network , Buzzworks Association Hitchin , First Garden Cities Homes , Stand-by-Me Children's Bereavement Services, Crossroads Caring for Life , Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service , Home-Start Hertfordshire , GRIT . The Volunteer Fair in Hitchin is part of Hertfordshire’s celebration of Volunteers Week, a national event to celebrate and showcase the contribution of volunteers in our community. To find out more, visit www.govolherts.org.uk or contact the team at i [email protected]. The fair will take place on the High Street in Hitchin. There is no need for the public to register – just come along at any time from 10am to 3pm. We look forward to seeing you there! GoVolHerts is a free volunteer-matching platform that makes it easy to discover the right opportunity. With hundreds of live roles from almost 500 non-profit organisations, the site connects people with causes that matter to them. GoVolHerts is delivered by North Herts and Stevenage CVS and proudly funded by Hertfordshire County Council.

GoVolHerts joined North Herts & Stevenage CVS and around 20 volunteer managers from non-profit organisations across the county for a networking meeting where we discussed issues in volunteering and the volunteer management role - organising the participation of volunteers, recruitment, supervision and engagement. After a speed-intro circle in which we learned who everyone was and how many volunteers they managed (from just a few to nearly 1000!) we shared our perspectives on volunteering trends, how we respond, the issues we face and our particular experiences and interests. GoVolHerts Volunteering Development Lead, Emily Butterworth said: "Working with volunteers is inspiring and rewarding, and you get to work with amazing dedicated people, but there can be challenges too, especially when the organisation is struggling to recruit the volunteers it needs. It can be hard to find enough hours in the day when you are working with a lot of people and you want to be supportive and ensure they have a great experience and the role is sometimes short on the resources and support that are really needed. Those working in this role may also feel their responsibilities are quite different and may be separated from other organisational activities, leaving them feeling isolated and possibly experiencing strain. Attendees gladly took the opportunity to speak with peers about some of their challenges and the solutions they are exploring. Everyone shared ideas and experiences freely and we could see how useful and inspiring that was." Participants themselves set the topics they wanted to focus on and we held conversations on recruiting and retaining volunteers, improving marketing and on making the most of corporate volunteering, with lively table conversations on each of these topics. Summary notes and bullet points will be shared with everyone who attended. We also noticed much sharing of cards and promises of help between participants and we look forward to hearing about new collaborations. Those attending particularly enjoyed the opportunity to connect with peers, share experiences, discuss different scenarios and approaches, and get insights and ideas from other participants. We hope a network will continue to meet regularly and we will keep you posted.